Michael Phelps Responds To DUI Arrest On Twitter; No Mug Shot Taken Of Olympian

A mug shot of Michael Phelps was not taken after he was arrested for DUI in Maryland. Photo: Reuters

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, who was arrested early Tuesday in Baltimore for driving under the influence, took to Twitter for a mea culpa acknowledging the "severity of my actions." The gold-medal winner initially was stopped by police about 1:40 a.m. for driving 84 mph in a 45 mph zone, TMZ Sports reported

"Earlier this morning, I was arrested and charged with DUI, excessive speeding and crossing double lane lines," Phelps tweeted Tuesday in the first of three posts. "I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility. I know these words may not mean much right now but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down."

No mug shot was taken because images aren’t always taken for traffic arrests, a police spokesman told the New York Daily News.

After he was stopped, police determined Phelps’ blood alcohol level was nearly double the legal limit. He was charged with excessive speeding and crossing a double lane line in addition to DUI.

“A Maryland Transportation Authority [MDTA] police officer was operating stationary radar on southbound [Interstate] 395 leaving Baltimore City when a White 2014 Land Rover entered the radar’s area of influence at excessive speed [84 mph in a 45 mph zone],” the MDTA said in a statement, CBS WJZ-TV, Baltimore, reported.

“The officer followed the vehicle onto northbound I-95, through the tunnel and initiated an enforcement stop just beyond the tunnel’s toll plaza. Mr. Phelps was identified as the driver by his driver’s license and appeared to be under the influence. He was unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests. Mr. Phelps was cooperative throughout the process.”